Constant chiming

Q--I have a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4x4. Not long ago, the airbag warning light and accompanying chime started to come on intermittently. Now it is almost always on. If the light does go out it will come on when I either go over a bump, stop, or accelerate. I did a little research and found that the clock spring that provides a continuous electrical connection to the steering wheel and column is possibly malfunctioning. I tried pounding on top of the steering column and it caused the light to go out more than once. Am I on the right track?

A--You are definitely on the right track, but we suggest you quit pounding on the wheel. Get the clock spring replaced or your airbag may not deploy if you need it. Leave this job to a professional. Unless you have the right tools and know how to disable the airbag before you start digging into the steering column, you'll get in trouble.

Trickle of power

Q--In December of 2002, I purchased a battery for my 1991 Camaro that is parked in my garage. I started it up every two months. I discovered that I had to charge the battery every time I went to start it up. The battery goes dead. 

Now the dealership tells me that I need to keep a trickle charger on the battery or it will go dead. The last time this happened, I charged the battery and a week later it needed a charge again. The dealer said that the new batteries are like that. Is this true?

A--Unless you drive your car regularly, you need to keep the battery charged by using a trickle charger. Starting and letting the car idle won't recharge the battery. In fact, you are using more of the charge starting the engine than can be put back by the alternator at idle. It has nothing to do with new batteries.

The Cadillac of scams

Q--I would like to change the PCV valve on my 2001 Caddy DHS but cannot find it. Can you tell me?

A--You will never find it because the engine in your car doesn't have one. If you dealer charged you for installing one, you were hoodwinked.

New versus used

Q--I have a 2004 Honda Pilot with front and rear disc brakes. I have always done my own brake jobs and want to know if the rotors must be machined on the vehicle or may they be removed and machined off the car?

A--It is best to machine these rotors on the vehicle. But you may pay about the same price to replace them as you would pay to have them machined. It is quicker to install new rotors.

Your other problem

Q--My 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 heater blower fan failed. I replaced it, but it now only works on high speed. Where is the circuit that controls the fan located?

A--The fan is controlled by the switch on the dash, but that is not the culprit. The blower motor resistor, through which the electricity flows and is reduced to produce the lower speeds, is shot.

The right spark

Q--What is proper spark plug gap for 1998 S-10 Chevy pickup? The owner's manual says 0.045 inches but the parts books say 0.060 inches. Who is right? My son has a 2000 Blazer and his owner's manual says 0.060. He has the same six-cylinder 4.3-liter engine. Why the difference?

A--Maybe there is an error in your owner's manual, or you may be looking at the spec for the 4.2-liter engine. According to our sources, both trucks' spark plugs should be gapped at 0.060 inches.

Due to the large volume, Bob Weber is unable to answer most questions sent to The Car Connection each month. Some may be answered directly, where possible, and others will be included in future columns if the topic is deemed interesting. Be sure to include your real name and full address (city, state, province, country, etc.) when sending your questions.

Weber, a self-proclaimed swell guy, is an ASE-Certified Master Automobile Technician, freelance writer and former editor of Super Automotive Service magazine. His column, "Motormouth," appears weekly in the Chicago Tribune. He enjoys good tequila, good cigars and good times. A chemistry school dropout, he still concocts compounds in the kitchen and makes a mean pot of chili. He and his wife live near the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.

Send e-mail to Mechanic@thecarconnection.com